A television chef who is considered cooking royalty by millions of people has given her endorsement to a cake sold on Norwich Market.

Jake Gower's madeleines from his stall at Norwich Market, Jakey Le Bakey, which Madeleine gave to Nigella Lawson when she visited Norwich. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Dozens of people were at Jarrold’s this week for a book signing by domestic goddess Nigella Lawson and one of her fans in the queue was Madeleine Hutt.

The pastry chef runs the Jakey Le Bakey stall on the city market with Jake Gower and when her time came to finally meet Ms Lawson she asked her to bring her some of her bakes.

“Nigella is a hero to my pastry chef Madeleine,” said Mr Gower. “Maddie told Nigella she had been baking that morning just in general chit chat and Nigella joked that she hadn’t brought her any but as she was going to Ely and wouldn’t have time to come to the market Maddie took them to her.”

Nigella Lawson signing her new book at Jarrolds.
Picture: ANTONY KELLY

Miss Hutt brought the award-winning writer some honey and vanilla madeleines, a cake which originated from northeastern France, and Ms Lawson enjoyed them so much she used Twitter to praise the pair.

She tweeted: “@madhutter27 Thank you so much for those madeleines. They were exquisite,” and “Thank you @jtbakey for wonderful madeleines #norwichmarket.” She later asked them to share the recipe with her.

Mr Gower said of the tweets: “For her to have tweeted Maddie is an absolute dream come true for her.”

The Jakey Le Bakey stall has been bringing a taste of France to Norwich since it first opened in July this year.

The pair serve a variety of sweet and savoury food including croque monsieurs, smoked mackerel paté and croissants.

It was one of many food stalls which opened on the market this year and it is hoped this will help the market to be named Britain’s Favourite Market by the National Market’s Association.

Voting is currently open and people have until 11.59pm on November 30 to vote for their favourite.

Mr Gower said the whole market is getting behind the vote and believes the market can be become known as one of the best in the country.

Jakey Le Bakey stall at Norwich Market. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

“I hope we can get everyone to vote for the market because it is a really cool market and it could be right up there with the likes of Borough Market and Camden Market,” he said.